Senior Staff Attorney, Post Conviction Litigation

ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 200 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit www.innocenceproject.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Innocence Project Staff Attorneys represent clients around the nation seeking to prove their innocence and obtain relief from wrongful conviction through post-conviction DNA testing and other new non-DNA evidence of innocence.  Staff Attorneys reinvestigate actual innocence, working with a wide range of forensic and other experts and investigators, and litigate at trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts around the country. The claims raised by Innocence Project Staff Attorneys include, but are not limited to, ineffective assistance of counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, false evidence, incentivized testimony, and newly discovered evidence.

Beyond litigating cases on behalf of individual clients, Staff Attorneys also help teach the Innocence Project’s legal clinic and supervise PCL fellows and law school clinic students; support the Innocence Project’s initiatives to improve the criminal legal system through policy and litigation; work collaboratively with other attorneys and with other programmatic departments at the Innocence Project; engage in public education regarding wrongful conviction; write amicus curie briefs; and provide resources and support to attorneys nationwide who challenge the inequities of our criminal legal system.

Staff Attorneys reinvestigate cases where there is a claim of actual innocence, working with a wide range of forensic and other experts and investigators. Primarily, our dockets focus on using DNA technology to prove innocence, and include cases with claims based on newly discovered evidence, ineffective assistance of counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, false evidence, and incentivized testimony (among others). Staff Attorneys litigate at trial and appellate levels, in state and federal courts around the country. Our representation is client-centered.  

Clinical education is an important dimension of the Post-Conviction Litigation Department. In this capacity, Staff Attorneys help train and supervise law students in the Innocence Project’s year-long legal clinic and co-teach seminars.

Senior Staff Attorneys maintain all of the responsibilities of Staff Attorneys as well as the following: collaborating with other departments on projects and work that enhance the overall exoneration practice as well as the IP’s clinical program, and helping to train, supervise and mentor Innocence Project Staff Attorneys, fellows, paralegals, interns, and other volunteers.  

Senior Staff Attorneys work under the supervision of the Director of Post-Conviction Litigation and directly supervise or co-supervise one paralegal and four to six 2L students

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas and we are not an e-verify employer.

The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed virtually/in-office. We currently have a hybrid in-office model, with all employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely. Wednesday is our organization’s “anchor day” where all staff works in the office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change. 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Innocence Project seeks a Senior Staff Attorney with superlative legal writing and research skills.  Our docket is dynamic and requires extensive motions practice and appellate briefing.  Candidates must have strong advocacy skills and be well equipped to handle court appearances for everything from evidentiary hearings to oral arguments. The Senior Staff Attorney will showcase demonstrated expertise in DNA and other forensic sciences, with the ability to critically assess complex scientific evidence, collaborate with forensic experts, and develop litigation strategies to challenge wrongful convictions based on flawed or outdated forensic practices and/or other factors that frequently contribute to wrongful convictions (ie. mistaken eyewitness identification, false confessions, jailhouse informant testimony and prosecutorial/police misconduct).

In addition, Senior Staff Attorneys must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, enthusiasm for working collaboratively, and must embrace the Innocence Project’s mission to not only correct individual miscarriages of justice, but to also expose and reform the systemic dysfunctions of the criminal legal system—including resource disparities, racial bias, and police and prosecutorial misconduct. Beyond litigating cases on behalf of individual clients, Senior Staff Attorneys also lead and support client advocacy efforts, coordinate with cross-functional teams to manage and litigate cases of wrongful conviction; engage in public education regarding wrongful conviction; write amicus curie briefs; and act as a resource and support for attorneys nationwide challenging  the inequities of our criminal legal system.

In addition, all Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and experience of a diverse and heterogeneous staff.  We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in this type of environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage docket of cases for individuals seeking relief from wrongful conviction
• Craft litigation strategy
• Lead litigation teams, including with pro-bono partners, local counsel, fellows, and law students
• Direct factual post-conviction investigations
• Write motions and briefs in connection with client representation, as well as amicus curie briefs
• Litigate issues related to obtaining evidence and conducting forensic and other testing of that evidence
• Work with experts when appropriate, including preparing and presenting their affidavits and testimony
• Conduct evidentiary hearings and make other court appearances
• Represent clients facing retrial after vacatur of conviction
• Conduct oral argument before trial and appellate courts
• Help teach the Innocence Project legal clinic and supervise law students
• Supervise paralegals, fellows, and interns
• Work with social workers, and assist with post-release planning for exonerated clients

TRAINING AND SUPPORT OF ATTORNEYS, PARALEGALS, FELLOWS, INTERNS AND VOLUNTEERS:

At the direction and under the supervision of the Director of Post-Conviction Litigation, the Senior Staff Attorney will:

• Develop and implement training for Staff Attorneys on case and clinical work 
• Provide ongoing supervision, support and mentorship for Staff Attorneys, paralegals, fellows, interns and volunteers on all phases of pending cases as well as docket management (e.g., prioritizing work)
• Respond to internal requests from other departments for briefing and other resources  

STRENGTHENING THE PRACTICE:

At the direction and under the supervision of the Director of Post-Conviction Litigation, the Senior Staff Attorney will participate and take leadership in projects that enhance the practice, including:

• Participating in department wide projects 
• Acting as a thought partner to the Director and with other Senior Attorneys around various practice-related systems and processes, including helping to devise best practices  
• Organizing resources for other attorneys (inside and outside of the department) 
• Helping to implement new initiatives in the department 
• Creating department-wide trainings, including skill-based trainings 
• Taking part in research related to issues relevant to the entire department 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Where a candidate has at least five years of experience as a Staff Attorney at the Innocence Project, a minimum of ten years of litigation experience total is required 
• Otherwise, Senior Staff Attorney candidates are required to have a minimum of twelve years of litigation experience (inclusive of at least five years of post-conviction expertise)

• Advanced knowledge of DNA and/or other forensic disciplines preferred 
• A demonstrated and abiding commitment to social justice 
• Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• Bar admission in one or more states

KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES

• Demonstrated commitment to the Innocence Project’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion
• Client-centered approach to legal representation 
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment 
• Excellent analytic and writing skills, and ability to construct cogent arguments 
• Great interpersonal and verbal communication skills 
• Honed organizational skills and the ability to prioritize cases 
• Experience working with a diverse range of people and in integrated teams
• Ability to constructively supervise and effectively manage direct reports
• Ability to assess work of students, paralegals, fellows, and interns, and provide feedback that furthers their professional development
• Proven track record of building collaborative relationships within their team and among external partners
• Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest
• Shared commitment to the IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please upload a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and the organization’s work, and a resume titled with your name in this format (last name_first name_cover letter/resume). Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications. Information submitted through this secure site is kept confidential. 

**Applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis until the post is filled.** 

SALARY RANGE

For internal candidates with at least 5 years at IP: $170,081 (10 years experience) - $195,382 (20 years experience). 

For external candidates with at least 5 years post-conviction experience or internal candidates who do not yet have 5 years at IP: $177,821 (12 years experience) -  $195,382 (20 years experience).

Compensation will be based on the number of years since receipt of a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. 

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & PERKS

The salary for this position is highly competitive and the Innocence Project offers an excellent benefits package, including fully-paid individual health, dental and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, 401k plan with 6% company-match, paid disability and family care leave, adoption and fertility expense reimbursements, and company-paid transportation benefits.

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission.  We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.